- July 10, 2026
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Never at a loss for a cute summary, Keith Pandeloglou was asked to summarize his ascension into the role of president of the board of the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation in June.
"I got a cool name tag and business cards," he said with a smile.
But Pandeloglou was all business when asked about the progress the LWRCF has made over his five years as a board member.
"The simple answer is impact," Pandeloglou said. "We gave out $125,000 in 2025 (approximately double from the previous five years) and we are giving $250,000 this year. We are showing our commitment."
The last five years have shown a flurry of activity and changes with the LWRCF under former Presidents of the Board Nicole Ryskamp, Mark Clark and Jeff Toale.
In 2021, the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund received its own 501(c)(3) nonprofit status (previously it was under the Manatee Community Foundation). At that time, Northern Trust took over the management of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund's accounts and funds.
In 2023, the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund started the Builders Give Back program that makes a donation to the nonprofit for each sale while also presenting buyers with information about the organization.
In 2024, the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund changed its name to the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation.
"If you look at when I started to now, that's what I take pride in," Pandeloglou said.
Although Pandeloglou might have somewhat of a maintenance plan as he takes over for his year as president of the board, he already has started a nonprofit leaders collaborative that is new to the LWRCF.
"Nine months ago, I was at a grant-writing seminar in Venice that was being held by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation," he said. "I met a friend there whose nonprofit does equine therapy and who lives in Country Club East. I wondered why we were driving all the way to Venice (for the seminar)."
Pandeloglou cleared the way for the nonprofit leaders collaborative with the board and they held the first one in March at Pandeloglou's CoWorkLWR business office on Enterprise Circle in Lakewood Ranch. Six nonprofit "leaders" showed up at the first seminar and 12 to 14 have come to the April, May and June seminars. Those who attended learned about best practices for attracting volunteers, for grant writing, and for marketing.
The LWRCF invited its nonprofit grant recipients to send a representative to the seminars.
"We have watched how our sister foundations have made an impact without writing a check," Pandeloglou said.
The LWRCF currently has a 14-member board that is about to expand to 15 members. Pandeloglou, Clark, Lorri Kidder and Christa Folkers all have been on the board for five years and the rest for shorter terms.
"There is a benefit of having me and three others in our Year 5," Pandeloglou said. "It is just the evolution of going through everything."
Pandeloglou was asked if he felt a 15-member board was the right number for the LWRCF.
"I am on boards with four members, with 10 members, with 15, and with 25," Pandeloglou said. "Between 10 and 15 probably is the best, and a group of eight to 12 seems to be the most collaborative."
While the changes in the past five years have seemed to point the LWRCF in the right direction, Pandeloglou said the challenges always are increasing because the applications for grants are increasing.
"It is amazing how many programs relied on federal grants (that were either reduced to taken away entirely)," he said. "It is scary, because you see the ones where a large percentage of their budgets come from those federal grants."
The LWRCF will continue to rely on its major events — the Soirée at the Ranch, the annual golf tournament and the annual Polo with the Pros event — to account for a large percentage of the funds going back out to the nonprofits. The Builders Give Back program has accounted for more than $80,000 the last two years and donations have remained steady.
"We always have to be close to the pulse of the community," Pandeloglou said. "This is not something people are obligated to do. I am a small business owner and I know small business owners have to be intentional about their $5,000 donations. They want to help as many nonprofits as possible. That is why they come to us."
He said being president of the board is a huge responsibility that he doesn't take lightly.
"It is an honor so sit in the role that so many powerhouses of this community have held before me with such great leadership," Pandeloglou said. "It's about keeping Mark (Clark) proud. He seems happy with what we are doing. I am trying to keep the ball moving forward."
He said the LWRCF is trying to repond to the community's demands, and that the work done over the next 12 months will not be recognized "until you are gone."
Pandeloglou said he is appreciative of the work Toale did over the last 12 months.
"We all learn from one another," Pandeloglou said. "Jeff has good sage advice ... it's his nature. He constantly is being put into people's lives at the worst time (at the Celebration of Life Center). The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation's questions are nothing compared to what he is doing on a daily basis."
When Pandeloglou faces frustrating challenges over the next year, he said he "will need to channel my Jeff."
Toale said he felt the LWRCF made significant progress during his year as president of the board, but added, "There is a lot more work to do."
He said Pandeloglou is a great choice to keep the momentum.
"Keith is well-known in this community and he is going to do very well. He has his own network in the area.
"This is a rewarding job. You oversee the grants committee and you can see what the foundation can do. Part of our challenge is to continue to grow our reach, and continue to grow our giving base."
LWRCF Executive Director Kate Mulligan said she is looking forward to Pandeloglou's term.
"I am thrilled to have Keith," she said. "Our office is in the CoworkLWR space so we will collaborate more. Keith is a well of knowledge about Lakewood Ranch. He will make my work easier."
She said the LWRCF is headed in a great direction.
"I hope this is just the tip of the iceberg," she said.
